Sky Schaudt/KJZZ, mcsally.senate.gov

Mark Kelly and Martha McSally

President Trump’s visit to Phoenix Wednesday night is aimed at not only energizing his base but generating support for Arizona Republican Sen. Martha McSally. However, a new poll shows McSally may need more support than the president’s.

A HighGround Public Affairs survey of 400 Arizona residents places Democratic candidate Mark Kelly ahead of Republican candidate Martha McSally by 6.7 percentage points. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 percentage points.

Nevertheless, Paul Bentz, a researcher for HighGround, attributes Kelly’s polling numbers to the county he controls.

"Kelly’s currently in the lead in Maricopa County, which is obviously our most populous and most media heavy county in the state," Bentz said. "I think it’s gonna be critical for him to hold on to that, that’s how Senator Sinema was successful two years ago. That’s what he’s gonna have to do."

Bentz said the results show Arizona is becoming a battleground state that some say is turning from red to purple.

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